Vo-tech committee approves retirement contribution to former director
GEORGES TWP. – The former director of the Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School will receive a $40,000 contribution to his retirement account, according to payment terms approved Monday. Members of the school’s operating committee approved the payment, which John Fibbi was entitled to upon his retirement.
Fibbi announced his retirement at last month’s meeting. His last day of work was Sept. 2.
Solicitor Gary Frankhouser said Fibbi’s contract included a lump sum payment upon his retirement for half of his salary. He said the contribution to the retirement plan will cost the school slightly less because it will not be responsible for federal income withholdings.
Fibbi, who was with the school for more than six years, attended Monday’s meeting to thank the committee for giving him the opportunity to run the school.
“It was challenging and enjoyable, and I have enjoyed working with you,” he said. “I wish the school and each district the best in moving forward.”
Dr. Edward Jeffreys, assistant director, has been named acting director until a new top administrator is hired.
In another matter, the committee briefly discussed this year’s Summer Food Program, which went over budget by nearly $3,400.
Jeffreys said one site had to close halfway through the program this year, and other locations lost funding or were ineligible to participate. He said the program for 2005 was developed based on a specific number of sites accepting a specific number of lunches.
“We have to plan ahead and we had to have that plan in place,” he said.
Members asked if officials at the program sites could be locked into a specific number of lunches and required to be open for the duration of the program, but Jeffreys said they cannot because of the rules listed in the grant, which funds the program.
“At some point, people don’t come,” he said. “It’s not the site’s fault. They can’t force people to be there.”
Last year’s program lost nearly $25,000.
Jeffreys also announced that first semester enrollment is 240 students, with 31.3 percent of students from Uniontown Area, 25.8 percent from Laurel Highlands, 25 percent from Albert Gallatin, and 17 percent from Brownsville Area.
The second semester’s projected enrollment is 185 students, with Uniontown Area projected to again send the most students, followed by Albert Gallatin, Brownsville, and Laurel Highlands.
“The distribution is becoming much closer, which I think makes everyone feel better,” Jeffreys said.
Among other business, the committee accepted the resignation of Sharon Swaney, part-time cafeteria worker; hired Elva “Cindy” Tomasek for the part-time cafeteria worker position, and approved the student and teacher handbooks for the 2005-06 school year.
Members approved naming Melanie Dean as technology coordinator and Nancy Rossell as health academy coordinator. Each will receive $1,250 per semester.
The committee also named Donna Heintz as secondary and post-secondary Perkins grant coordinator at $20 per hour to prepare, maintain and finish the school’s 2005-06 grant. Heintz will spend no more than 200 hours on secondary, and a maximum of 50 hours on the post-secondary portion of the grant.